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{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
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{{Speciesbox
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|species = bulbosus
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|authority = [[Martin Vahl|Vahl]]
|authority = [[Martin Vahl|Vahl]]
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'''''Cyperus bulbosus''''' is a [[species]] of [[Cyperaceae|sedge]] found across Africa, the [[Middle East]], [[Indian subcontinent]], [[Southeast Asia]], and [[Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=235931|title = World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew}}</ref> In Australia, it is commonly called (Australian) bush onion or "[[wild onion]]", but is not related to the [[onion]] or other [[Alliaceae]]. It is a component of Australian [[bushfood]], but is considered an agricultural [[weed]] in other areas.
'''''Cyperus bulbosus''''' is a [[species]] of [[Cyperaceae|sedge]] found across Africa, the [[Middle East]], [[Indian subcontinent]], [[Southeast Asia]], and [[Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=235931|title = World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew}}</ref> In Australia, it is commonly called Nalgoo or (Australian) bush onion<ref name=atlas>{{cite web|url=https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2902422|title=''Cyperus bulbosus'' Vahl Nalgoo, Bush Onion|accessdate=13 January 2022|work=Atlas of Living Australia|publisher=[[Global Biodiversity Information Facility]]}}</ref> or "[[wild onion]]", but is not related to the [[onion]] or other [[Alliaceae]]. It is a component of Australian [[bushfood]], but is considered an agricultural [[weed]] in other areas.


==Description==
==Description==
''C. bulbosus'' is [[perennial]] and [[rhizomatous]], with fine grassy foliage and triangular [[culm (botany)|culm]]s.<ref name="NWSFlora">{{cite web|url=http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Cyperus~bulbosus|work=New South Wales Flora Online |title=''Cyperus bulbosus'' Vahl|publisher=[[National Herbarium of New South Wales]] |accessdate=August 17, 2010}}</ref> The inflorescence is rarely branched and consists of a cluster of [[Spike (botany)|spikes]] of reddish-brown bracts, eventually producing small, three-sided seeds.<ref name="NWSFlora"/>


===Morphology===


''Cyperus bulbosus'' is a perennial sedge. Typically green to straw in colour, the slender plant propagates via [[rhizome]]s (horizontal, underground stem extensions), ending at bulbs. Approximately 20–40 cm in height (appox. 8-16 inches), it has fragments (or culms) as long as its leaves (which are typically 1-2mm wide).
⚫
==Cultural significance==
⚫
Its name in the [[Arrernte language|Arrernte]] language of [[Central Australia]] is ''merne yalke''. In a neighbouring language, [[Kaytetye language|Kaytetye]], it is called ''erreyakwerra''. Some Kaytetye, the Kwerrimpe women, have a bush onion [[Dreaming (spirituality)|dreaming]]<ref>Turpin, Myfany (comp.), ''Growing up Kaytete: Stories by Tommy Kngwarraye Thompson'', Jukurrpa Books, Alice Springs, 2003, {{ISBN|1-86465-049-4}}, pp 3-5</ref> which involves the bush onion and the origins of the Kaytetye people and language. This means they have been given stories of the origins of the bush onion, and are entitled to tell these stories and paint about them. Artists who have painted bush onion dreaming include [[Nora Andy Napaltjarri]]<ref name="DAAONora">{{cite web|url=http://www.daao.org.au/main/read/210|title=Nora Napaljarri Andy|date=2007|publisher=Dictionary of Australian Artists Online|accessdate=2009-09-19}}</ref> and her sister [[Ada Andy Napaltjarri]].<ref name="Birnberg213">{{cite book|last=Birnberg|first=Margo|author2=Janusz Kreczmanski|title=Aboriginal Artist Dictionary of Biographies: Australian Western, Central Desert and Kimberley Region|publisher=J.B. Publishing|location=Marleston, South Australia|date=2004|page=213|isbn=978-1-876622-47-3}}</ref>


Stems are known as triquetrous/trigonous (i.e. rounded-triangle shaped cross-section). Its flower bundle (i.e. [[inflorescence]]) is much longer than the leaves. Flowers appear as “spikes” that can extend up to approximately 5 cm. They consist of involucre bracts, meaning that a collection of leaf and petal-like extensions support the flower (just beneath the petals).
⚫
The small [[tuber]]s which form on short stolons are a traditional [[bush tucker]] food for [[Australian Aboriginal peoples]]. They are dug up on creek banks when the grass of the onion has dried out. The husk can also be eaten. They are eaten raw or cooked in the hot earth by the fire and are said to have a "a pleasant nutty taste"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/bush-onion/}}</ref>


Spikelets (i.e. arrangement of the flowers/florets) of the plant appear flattened. Each “spike” contains approximately 10-30 spikeletes which are 10-25mm long. Usually, five to 20 of these are flowered. Lastly, glumes (membranous bracts) subacute (slightly rounded), with 3-5 nerves on either side of the keel, which in itself is approximately 3–5 mm long.
⚫
==Ecology==
===Fauna===
====Raso Lark====
The [[Raso lark|Raso Lark]] is endemic to, and exclusively found in, the Raso islet of the [[Cape Verde|Cape Verde Islands]], Africa (Fig 1.1.)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Donald, P., De Ponte, M., Pitta Groz, M., & Taylor, R. |title=Status, ecology, behaviour and conservation of Raso Lark Alauda razae. |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/status-ecology-behaviour-and-conservation-of-raso-lark-alauda-razae/CD2B783248CCF7F7415F053C49FAE9FD |access-date=2021}}</ref>. They are critically endangered, with a population ranging between approx. 200-1,000.
The Raso Lark population is heavily male-skewed (61–66%, 2001), with males spending significantly more time digging for and consuming the bulbs of Cyperus Bulbosus. This is due to key beak morphological differences. The species is highly dependent on the plant, in addition to small invertebrate (such as the lepidopteran larvae).


Leaves are known to be [[trigonous]], obovoid or [[ellipsoid]]. They are approximately 1.3 to 1.55 mm long.
[[File:Cape Verde Population Density, 2000 (6172435552).jpg|thumb|Cape Verde Islands]]


==Taxonomy==
[[File:Razo lark.jpg|thumb|Raso Lark]]
The species was first formally described by the botanist [[Martin Vahl]] in 1805 as a part of the work ''Enumeratio Plantarum''. It has four [[synonyms (taxonomy)|synonyms]]; ''Cyperus subulatus'' var. ''confertus'' [[Benth.]] in 1878, ''Cyperus bulbosus'' var. ''elatior'' by [[Kük.]] in 1936, ''Cyperus andrewsii'' by [[C.B.Clarke]] in 1908 and ''Cyperus bulbosus'' Vahl var. ''bulbosus'' by [[Kük.]] in 1936.<ref name=atlas/>
====Brolga====
There is evidence to suggest that [[Brolga|Brolgas]] (Grus rubicunda), the largest Australian [[Crane (bird)|crane]], also eats Cyperus Bulbosus <ref>{{cite web |last1=J.P.Grime |title=Plant Classification for Ecological Purposes: is there a Role for Genome Size?, Annals of Botany, Volume 82, Issue suppl_1, 1 |url=https://doi.org/10.1006/anbo.1998.0723}}</ref>. Distributed around the eastern half of [[Australia]], parts of the [[Northern Territory]], [[Queensland]] and [[Central Australia]] that are common ground for both Cyperus Bulbosus and the Brolga. Typically, the bird (as an omnivore) feeds on wetland plants, insects, amphibians, and sometimes, even mice (and other small vertebrates).


⚫
==Ecology==
[[File:Brolga-1-Healesville,-Vic,-3.1.2008 edit.jpg|thumb|Brolga]]
⚫
A 12-year study, assessing the diet of Central Australian [[camel]]s, found that ''Cyperus bulbosus'' was a common food plant as indicated by a "palatability index" score of 3. The index ranges from 1 ("only eaten when nothing else is available") to 7 ("could be killed by camel browsing").<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dpir.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/233455/tn116.pdf|title=The Palatability of Central Australian Plant Species to Camels}}</ref> The [[Raso lark]], endemic to the Cape Verde Islands, is heavily dependent on ''Cyperus bulbosus'' for food.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Donald, P., De Ponte, M., Pitta Groz, M., & Taylor, R. |title=Status, ecology, behaviour and conservation of Raso Lark Alauda razae. |journal=Bird Conservation International |year=2003 |volume=13 |pages=13–28 |doi=10.1017/S0959270903003022 |s2cid=84982586 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
⚫
In addition, ''Cyperus bulbosus'' is a well-established threat/pest to rice plantations. It has a particular impact on rice crop cultivation, in agriculture; competing for nutrients in spaces that may already be finite in supply.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mabberley, D. J. |title=Mabberley's plant-book: a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. (4th ed.) |date=2017}}</ref>


Other animals, such as the [[bilby]] and [[brolga]] are documented to include ''Cyperus bulbosus'' in their diets.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}
====Bilby====
The [[Macrotis|Bilby]] (Macrotis lagotis), an Australian endemic marsupial, is known to consume Cyperus Bulbosus bulbs. According to one study, the plant comprises 18.5% of their entire diet, relative abundance, for a space of 230000 km^2 in the Tanami Desert, Northern Territory. Invertebrates, most commonly termites and beetles, comprised 39% of their diet, according to the study (Southgate & Carthew, 2006).
[[File:Bilby at Sydney Wildlife World.jpg|thumb|Bilby]]


Furthermore, ''Cyperus bulbosus'' has competitive relationships with [[couch grass]] and [[Cenchrus ciliaris|buffelgrass]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/777|title=''Cyperus bulbosus'' Vahl.|accessdate=13 January 2022|publisher=[[Department of Parks and Wildlife]]|work=Florabase}}</ref>
====Camel====
⚫
A 12-year study, assessing the diet of Central Australian [[Camel|camels]], found that Cyperus Bulbosus was a "common food plant" as indicated by a "palatability index" score of 3. The index ranges from 1 ("only eaten when nothing else is available") and 7 ("could be killed by camel browsing").<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dpir.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/233455/tn116.pdf}}</ref>


⚫
==Cultural significance==
[[File:07. Camel Profile, near Silverton, NSW, 07.07.2007.jpg.webp|thumb|Camel]]
⚫
Its name in the [[Arrernte language|Arrernte]] language of [[Central Australia]] is ''merne yalke''. In a neighbouring language, [[Kaytetye language|Kaytetye]], it is called ''erreyakwerra''. Some Kaytetye, the Kwerrimpe women, have a bush onion [[Dreaming (spirituality)|dreaming]]<ref>Turpin, Myfany (comp.), ''Growing up Kaytete: Stories by Tommy Kngwarraye Thompson'', Jukurrpa Books, Alice Springs, 2003, {{ISBN|1-86465-049-4}}, pp 3-5</ref> which involves the bush onion and the origins of the Kaytetye people and language. This means they have been given stories of the origins of the bush onion, and are entitled to tell these stories and paint about them. Artists who have painted bush onion dreaming include [[Nora Andy Napaltjarri]]<ref name="DAAONora">{{cite web|url=http://www.daao.org.au/main/read/210|title=Nora Napaljarri Andy|date=2007|publisher=Dictionary of Australian Artists Online|accessdate=2009-09-19}}</ref> and her sister [[Ada Andy Napaltjarri]].<ref name="Birnberg213">{{cite book|last=Birnberg|first=Margo|author2=Janusz Kreczmanski|title=Aboriginal Artist Dictionary of Biographies: Australian Western, Central Desert and Kimberley Region|publisher=J.B. Publishing|location=Marleston, South Australia|date=2004|page=213|isbn=978-1-876622-47-3}}</ref>


⚫
The small [[tuber]]s which form on short stolons are a traditional [[bush tucker]] food for Australian Aboriginal peoples. They are dug up on creek banks when the grass of the onion has dried out. The husk can also be eaten. They are eaten raw or cooked in the hot earth by the fire and are said to have a "a pleasant nutty taste".<ref>{{cite web|title=Bush Onion - Arca del Gusto|url=https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/bush-onion/}}</ref>
===Flora===
====Rice====
⚫
Cyperus Bulbosus is a well-established threat/pest to the rice plant. It has a particular impact on rice crop cultivation, in agriculture; competing for nutrients in spaces that may already be finite in supply<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mabberley, D. J. |title=Mabberley's plant-book: a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. (4th ed.) |date=2017}}</ref>.
====Buffel grass====
[[Cenchrus ciliaris|Buffel grass]] (Cenchrus ciliaris), is considered an Australian invasive species; known to dominate river corridors and wetlands, arid and semi-arid regions, crucial to Cyperus Bulbosus.

[[File:Cenchrus ciliaris.jpg|thumb|Buffel Grass]]
====Couch grass====
[[Couch grass]] (also known as Bermuda grass, Dhoob, dūrvā grass, ethana grass, dubo, dog's tooth grass, Bahama grass, devil's grass, Indian doab, arugampul, grama, wiregrass and scutch grass)is also considered an invasive species in Australia. It is native to most of the eastern hemisphere (e.g. Europe, Asia, the Arctic biome, and northwest Africa). Utilising both runners and seeds, it is a highly competitive drought-resistant rival species<ref>{{cite web |url=https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/777 |access-date=2021}}</ref>.

[[File:Cynodon dactylon 2.jpg|thumb|Couch Grass]]


==Distribution==
==Distribution==
Cyperus Bulbosus is found in parts of [[Africa]], [[Australia]] and [[Asia]]. Habitat terrain is typically either [[notophyll]] vine forest (i.e. vine forest comprising plants of leaf size 75–125 mm long and/or 2025–4500 mm^2 in area) Eucalypt woodland or Chenopod shrubland (i.e. Chenopod, any plant in the [[Chenopodium|Goosefoot]] family).
''Cyperus bulbosus'' is found in parts of [[Africa]], [[Australia]] and [[Asia]]. Its habitat is typically [[notophyll]] vine forest, [[eucalypt]] woodland or [[chenopod]] shrubland.
Within Australia, the plant has been documented throughout Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and large proportions of inland/central Australia. Beyond these regions, it is also known to grow in Cape York Peninsula (Queensland), North East Queensland and Central East Queensland (Cyperus bulbosus. LucidCentral, 2021).
Within Australia, the plant has been documented throughout Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and large proportions of inland/central Australia. Beyond these regions, it is also known to grow in Cape York Peninsula (Queensland), North East Queensland and Central East Queensland.
Due to invasive Couch and Buffel grass, Cyperus Bulbosus numbers are known to be declining, particularly in central Australia (Douglas, 2018). Interestingly, Buffel grass is only officially considered as a weed in South Australia, as of 2018.
Due to invasive couch and buffel grass, ''Cyperus bulbosus'' numbers are known to be declining, particularly in central Australia, with reports that they may face eventual extinction.


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of Cyperus species|List of ''Cyperus'' species]]
*[[Indigenous Australian food groups]]
*[[Indigenous Australian food groups]]


==References==
==References==
⚫
{{Commons category|Cyperus bulbosus}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
* Turner, Margaret-Mary, ''Arrernte Foods: Foods from Central Australia'', IAD Press, Alice Springs, 1994, {{ISBN|0-949659-76-2}}, p22.
* Turner, Margaret-Mary, ''Arrernte Foods: Foods from Central Australia'', IAD Press, Alice Springs, 1994, {{ISBN|0-949659-76-2}}, p22.

⚫
{{Commons category|Cyperus bulbosus}}


{{Taxonbar|from=Q4117733}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q4117733}}
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[[Category:Flora of Australia]]
[[Category:Flora of Australia]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1805]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1805]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Martin Vahl]]


{{Cyperaceae-stub}}
{{IndigenousAustralia-stub}}

Latest revision as of 03:18, 29 June 2024

Cyperus bulbosus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Cyperus
Species:
C. bulbosus
Binomial name
Cyperus bulbosus

Cyperus bulbosus is a species of sedge found across Africa, the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia.[1] In Australia, it is commonly called Nalgoo or (Australian) bush onion[2] or "wild onion", but is not related to the onion or other Alliaceae. It is a component of Australian bushfood, but is considered an agricultural weed in other areas.

Description

[edit]

Morphology

[edit]

Cyperus bulbosus is a perennial sedge. Typically green to straw in colour, the slender plant propagates via rhizomes (horizontal, underground stem extensions), ending at bulbs. Approximately 20–40 cm in height (appox. 8-16 inches), it has fragments (or culms) as long as its leaves (which are typically 1-2mm wide).

Stems are known as triquetrous/trigonous (i.e. rounded-triangle shaped cross-section). Its flower bundle (i.e. inflorescence) is much longer than the leaves. Flowers appear as “spikes” that can extend up to approximately 5 cm. They consist of involucre bracts, meaning that a collection of leaf and petal-like extensions support the flower (just beneath the petals).

Spikelets (i.e. arrangement of the flowers/florets) of the plant appear flattened. Each “spike” contains approximately 10-30 spikeletes which are 10-25mm long. Usually, five to 20 of these are flowered. Lastly, glumes (membranous bracts) subacute (slightly rounded), with 3-5 nerves on either side of the keel, which in itself is approximately 3–5 mm long.

Leaves are known to be trigonous, obovoid or ellipsoid. They are approximately 1.3 to 1.55 mm long.

Taxonomy

[edit]

The species was first formally described by the botanist Martin Vahl in 1805 as a part of the work Enumeratio Plantarum. It has four synonyms; Cyperus subulatus var. confertus Benth. in 1878, Cyperus bulbosus var. elatior by Kük. in 1936, Cyperus andrewsii by C.B.Clarke in 1908 and Cyperus bulbosus Vahl var. bulbosus by Kük. in 1936.[2]

Ecology

[edit]

A 12-year study, assessing the diet of Central Australian camels, found that Cyperus bulbosus was a common food plant as indicated by a "palatability index" score of 3. The index ranges from 1 ("only eaten when nothing else is available") to 7 ("could be killed by camel browsing").[3] The Raso lark, endemic to the Cape Verde Islands, is heavily dependent on Cyperus bulbosus for food.[4] In addition, Cyperus bulbosus is a well-established threat/pest to rice plantations. It has a particular impact on rice crop cultivation, in agriculture; competing for nutrients in spaces that may already be finite in supply.[5]

Other animals, such as the bilby and brolga are documented to include Cyperus bulbosus in their diets.[citation needed]

Furthermore, Cyperus bulbosus has competitive relationships with couch grass and buffelgrass.[6]

Cultural significance

[edit]

Its name in the Arrernte language of Central Australia is merne yalke. In a neighbouring language, Kaytetye, it is called erreyakwerra. Some Kaytetye, the Kwerrimpe women, have a bush onion dreaming[7] which involves the bush onion and the origins of the Kaytetye people and language. This means they have been given stories of the origins of the bush onion, and are entitled to tell these stories and paint about them. Artists who have painted bush onion dreaming include Nora Andy Napaltjarri[8] and her sister Ada Andy Napaltjarri.[9]

The small tubers which form on short stolons are a traditional bush tucker food for Australian Aboriginal peoples. They are dug up on creek banks when the grass of the onion has dried out. The husk can also be eaten. They are eaten raw or cooked in the hot earth by the fire and are said to have a "a pleasant nutty taste".[10]

Distribution

[edit]

Cyperus bulbosus is found in parts of Africa, Australia and Asia. Its habitat is typically notophyll vine forest, eucalypt woodland or chenopod shrubland. Within Australia, the plant has been documented throughout Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and large proportions of inland/central Australia. Beyond these regions, it is also known to grow in Cape York Peninsula (Queensland), North East Queensland and Central East Queensland. Due to invasive couch and buffel grass, Cyperus bulbosus numbers are known to be declining, particularly in central Australia, with reports that they may face eventual extinction.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cyperus bulbosus.
  1. ^ "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew".
  2. ^ a b "Cyperus bulbosus Vahl Nalgoo, Bush Onion". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  3. ^ "The Palatability of Central Australian Plant Species to Camels" (PDF).
  4. ^ Donald, P., De Ponte, M., Pitta Groz, M., & Taylor, R. (2003). "Status, ecology, behaviour and conservation of Raso Lark Alauda razae". Bird Conservation International. 13: 13–28. doi:10.1017/S0959270903003022. S2CID 84982586.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Mabberley, D. J. (2017). Mabberley's plant-book: a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. (4th ed.).
  6. ^ "Cyperus bulbosus Vahl". Florabase. Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  7. ^ Turpin, Myfany (comp.), Growing up Kaytete: Stories by Tommy Kngwarraye Thompson, Jukurrpa Books, Alice Springs, 2003, ISBN 1-86465-049-4, pp 3-5
  8. ^ "Nora Napaljarri Andy". Dictionary of Australian Artists Online. 2007. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  9. ^ Birnberg, Margo; Janusz Kreczmanski (2004). Aboriginal Artist Dictionary of Biographies: Australian Western, Central Desert and Kimberley Region. Marleston, South Australia: J.B. Publishing. p. 213. ISBN 978-1-876622-47-3.
  10. ^ "Bush Onion - Arca del Gusto".
  • Turner, Margaret-Mary, Arrernte Foods: Foods from Central Australia, IAD Press, Alice Springs, 1994, ISBN 0-949659-76-2, p22.
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